A man in China recently made headlines after winning a Maserati sports car valued at 1.7 million yuan (Rs 1.95 crore) in a ring-throwing game at a night market in Shangqiu, Henan province. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the winner, identified as Wang from Binzhou, Shandong province, spent 2,000 yuan (Rs 23,300) to secure the grand prize in the popular game.


The ring-toss game, a common attraction at night markets, involves players tossing ring-shaped objects toward a target to claim various prizes. Besides the luxury vehicle, the stall also offered other rewards, including sheep, cows, and other animals. Encouraging participants, the stall owner had stated, "Take a chance, maybe there is a skilled player out there."


Wang took up the challenge on February 14, dedicating about three hours to the game and throwing nearly 8,000 rings before clinching the Maserati. "I threw thousands of rings, and my hands still feel a bit sore. At first, I was just giving it a try, and I think my success was mostly due to luck," he told SCMP.


An avid basketball player, Wang enjoys shooting three-pointers and frequently participates in ring-toss games at night markets. "I usually win something. For example, during the Lunar New Year, I spent 150 yuan (Rs 1,750) on the game and won six geese," he shared. However, the excitement surrounding his win was somewhat dampened when it was revealed that Wang had only been granted a one-year usage permit for the Maserati rather than full ownership. He is currently in discussions with the stall owner to negotiate a cash alternative, citing the difficulty of removing the car from the market.


Users Reaction on the Viral News


The story has sparked widespread debate on Chinese social media, with many questioning the practicality of the prize. A user commented, "If it were me, I would also choose to cash it out. If you only get the car for one year, what is the point?" Others highlighted the high maintenance costs associated with owning a luxury vehicle. “If you want to make money off it, the only way might be to rent it out as a wedding car,” said one user. 


Another one said, “If something goes wrong, you will need to pay for repairs. A car like this, even for a simple repair, will cost a few thousand, maybe even tens of thousands. This is not a win, it is just bringing home a headache.”